Mama Don’t Play That!: 10 Lessons I Learned From My Mother

3. Respect Your Body

I remember being old enough to understand that smoking was bad for you. My mother smokes to this day, so it may seem that she has no room to tell me what to do to my body since she isn’t taking care of her own. But not all lessons are taught by example. Sometimes you learn what NOT to do from your parents by watching what their choices are doing to them. She would always tell me not to smoke, not to drink or abuse my body in any way. That includes drugs, sexual abuse or promiscuity, or allowing someone else to abuse me physically. Sometimes women can do devastating things to our bodies in the name of love, lust, grief or pain – but we have a choice. Be careful what you eat and be active. Use condoms. Get regular check-ups, and don’t abuse drugs and alcohol. Respect your body as a temple, because you only have one. Be kind to it.